King to celebrate birthday in Vava’u [1]
Tuesday, June 6, 2017 - 17:51. Updated on Wednesday, June 7, 2017 - 09:20.
Tonga's King Tupou VI will celebrate his 58th birthday in Vava’u in July this year, with various festivities.
His Majesty’s Armed Forces (HMAF) birthday program released today, starts in Neiafu from Tuesday, July 4 to Friday, July 7.
On 4 July, the King’s birthday- a public holiday, a Tongan National Flag Ceremony will be held at 8:00am, at the Neiafu National Flag Post.
HMAF will march on a quarter guard of honour accompanied by its Royal Corps of Musicians to pay compliments and raise the Tonga National Flag.
At 9:00am to 11:00am, the King’s Birthday Parade will be held at Fangatongo, with the King as the reviewing officer. This event will be attended by Queen Nanasipau’u with local and foreign invited guests.
At 6.00 pm, the day will finish with a Tongan National Flag Lowering ceremony at the Neiafu National Flag Post.
On July 6-7, a Military Tattoo Street Marching Band at the Neiafu Commercial Business District, from 10.30am to 11.30am.
On the evenings on both days, there would be military tattoo performances from 7.30pm to 9:00pm, at Fangatongo.
Performances will feature St Peter Chanel College Band, Tailulu College Band, Mailefihi/Siuilikutapu College Band, Tonga Police Band and the Royal Corps of Musicians.
This would be in addition to military displays from the branches of His Majesty’s Armed Forces, Navy, Royal Tongan Marines, Mechanical Engineering and Physical Training.
The public is welcome to attend these events.